Annuities

People are living longer and that means more time and savings will be spent in retirement. If you need a tax-deferred investment to provide a guaranteed1 stream of income for life or a specified number of years, it might be worth considering an annuity. An annuity is a contract between an insurance company and an annuity owner. In exchange for a purchase payment, or series of payments, the insurance company guarantees1 to pay a stream of income in the future.

There are two types of annuities—Immediate and Deferred.

Immediate Annuities

An immediate annuity is usually purchased with a single premium and begins a stream of income within the first 12 months from the date of issue. You decide when payments will begin within that period and how long to receive income. There are two types of immediate annuities: fixed and variable.

Immediate Fixed Annuity An immediate fixed annuity provides a guaranteed and predictable stream of income during the payout period.

Immediate Fixed and Variable Annuity An immediate fixed and variable annuity provides a guaranteed stream of income. The variable income payments fluctuate based on the performance of the variable investment choices selected. A fixed account is also usually offered as an investment choice within this type of contract.

Deferred Annuities

A deferred annuity is specifically designed to help accumulate assets for retirement. It also offers the ability to turn those assets into a guaranteed stream of income at some point in the future. You decide when payments begin and how long to receive income. There are basically two types of deferred annuities: fixed and variable.

Deferred Fixed Annuity A deferred fixed annuity earns interest during the contract's accumulation period. The interest rates are set by the issuing company and are guaranteed not to be lower than the minimum guaranteed interest rate shown in the contract. A contract's accumulated assets can be converted into a guaranteed stream of income for the future.

Deferred Variable Annuity A deferred variable annuity offers variable investment choices (and usually a fixed account) in which the contract owner can invest. During the accumulation period, the investment return and value of the annuity will fluctuate in accordance with the investments selected. A contract's accumulated assets can be converted into a guaranteed stream of income for the future.

1 Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing company and do not apply to the investment performance or safety of the amounts held in the variable investment options.

Annuities are not appropriate for everyone. There are fees and charges associated with owning an annuity.

Annuities do not provide any additional tax advantage when used to fund a qualified plan. Investors should consider buying an annuity to fund a qualified plan for the annuity's additional features, such as lifetime income payments and death benefit protection.

Variable annuities are sold by prospectus. Before purchasing a variable annuity contract, investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the variable annuity contract and its underlying investment choices. For this and other information, obtain the product prospectus and underlying investment choices prospectus from your registered representative. The prospectuses should be carefully considered before investing or sending money.

If taken prior to age 59 1/2, a 10% federal income tax penalty may apply. This information is not written or intended as specific tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any federal tax penalties. MassMutual, its employees, and representatives are not authorized to give legal or tax advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel.

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